The short answerAndre and Andrea, who live in Cali, say their everyday bills as a couple come to about $1,500 a month, including rent, groceries and a car payment, and have never reached $1,900. Their apartment in an estrato 5 area of north Cali runs about $400 a month with utilities and parking. Prices depend on the neighborhood and the exchange rate.
What they actually spend
- Rent: about $400 a month. That covers their apartment in estrato 5 in north Cali plus utilities, Wi-Fi, cable, parking, water, electricity and laundry. Andrea says the apartment alone is about $200 and suits a couple or a couple with one child.
- Groceries: about $300 a month.
- Everyday total: about $1,500 a month, including a car payment and other regular payments. Andre says they have never reached $1,900 in regular everyday bills.
Watch: Colombia living: how far does money really go?Andre and Andrea walk through their own monthly costs and answer viewers on rent. Opens on YouTube.
What rent costs by area
- In their estrato 5 area of north Cali, Andrea says big apartments with a pool, near grocery stores, run about $600 to $900, and up to $1,000.
- Andre says the most expensive areas sit on hillsides where you need a car. Where they live, malls, banks and stores are within walking distance, so they suggest first-time visitors book in the north of Cali.
- Andrea prefers the north to the south of Cali. She says the south flooded in one heavy rain while the north did not.
Watch: Affordable living in Cali: finding the best rentalsAndrea gives rent ranges for north Cali and explains why they chose it. Opens on YouTube.
Cali compared with Medellín and Bogotá
Andrea says Bogotá is expensive even for Colombians, Medellín depends on the area, with El Poblado the most expensive, and Cali is cheaper. Andre adds that prices in tourist zones like El Poblado drop once you leave the few blocks around them.
Before you set your budget
Check the numbers against today. These figures come from their videos, which are not dated, and they quote dollars. Rent in pesos moves with the exchange rate, so check the official rate before you plan. Visit first, and see how estratos work before you sign a lease.
Quick questions
What does rent cost in a good area of Cali?
In their estrato 5 area of north Cali, Andrea says large apartments with a pool run about $600 to $900 a month, and up to $1,000 depending on what you want.
Is Cali cheaper than Medellín or Bogotá?
Andrea says Bogotá is expensive even for Colombians, Medellín depends on the area with El Poblado the most expensive, and Cali is cheaper.
Sources
- Love Crossing Borders: Colombia living, how far does money really go
- Love Crossing Borders: Affordable living in Cali, finding the best rentals
- Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia: official exchange rate (TRM)
Shared from personal experience. Not legal, tax, immigration or medical advice.
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